Donna, 83, of Turlock passed away peacefully at home after a short illness. Donna was born to Geraldine and Woodrow Mall in Modesto, CA. She attended local schools and Modesto Junior College where she met the love of her life Stephen Carkeet. They were married on January 26, 1964. Donna passed on what would have become their 61st wedding anniversary, such a fitting day for them to be reunited.
Stephen and Donna moved several times throughout his career and Donna made lifelong friends with every move and made every home beautiful as the next. She and Stephen were able to travel extensively throughout their marriage. Donna was an avid bridge player, and it was hard to find any game she couldn’t win. When they retired and moved to Turlock Donna started volunteering at Emanuel Gift Shop. When Off Center Thrift and Gift opened Donna was on the first Friday shift and worked every Friday until she became ill. She gave countless hours to Off Center and was a key part of the Friday group of volunteers.
Donna is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth (Vince) Pace of Port Orchard, WA and Jennifer Davis of Merced, CA and grandsons Brian (Olivia) and Matthew (Sarah) Pace and brother Gary (Cyndi) Mall and many Carkeet, Mall and Bill family nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Woody and Gerry Mall, husband, Stephen Carkeet, brother, Larry Mall and son-in-law Teddy Davis.
Donations may be made to Off Center Thrift and Gift, 410 E. Olive, Turlock, CA, 95380 or Turlock Community Theatre, P.O. Box 1458, Turlock, CA 95381.
A celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 3, at Turlock Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Road, Turlock. A private interment at Turlock Memorial Park will precede the service.